UNEMPLOYMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18404, 11 August 1931, Page 3

UNEMPLOYMENT.

SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS.

REHABILITATION OF FARMS. AN AUCKLAND ORGANISATION. The necessity for engaging unemployed labour on reproductive national works Instead of frittering money away on unessential schemes, was stressed In a resolution moved by Mr A. M. Blsley at a meeting of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce last night, to the following effect:— ‘‘That this meeting urges the Government to place the unemployed on reproductive works such as the development of swamp areas, and urges local bodies throughout the Dominion to undertake essential works as speedily as possible, borrowing for the purpose of material, the labour to be subsidised by the Government, thus making work done by the unemployed of benefit to New Zealand as a whole."

The motion was seconded by Mr A. W. Chapman. The secretary read the following circular letter received from Auckland that day:— "You are asked to assist in doing something rather than wait for something to be done. If for some time you have honestly thought that some-

thing constructive really ought to be done, the time and opportunity have arrived for you to prove the sincerity of your belief. Prosperity will return w'hen the expansion of Industry can permanently absorb the unemployed. Nothing can cause an expansion of Industry but active effort. The responsibility of active effort Is the responsibility of each individual. These proposals represent the beginning of an active effort in which you are asked to Join. Responsible men who realise that increasing taxation and decreasing Industry mean increasing depression are willing to plan, and carry into effect, a constructive plan for land settlement and development, but these men need support and In these times must know that they have the very strongest support in their effort towards expansion, progress, and better times.

“What Vou Are Asked to Support.”

“Chebp unimproved and semi-improv-ed land Is available, good workers offer on almost any terms. Enterprise, organisation, and capital are required. A company with a sound directorate, substantial capital, and well considered plan for land settlement, can and will be formed if you are prepared to Indicate that you will assist. No single Individual can to-day afford the initial expense of promoting such a project, but a number can and should. You are asked to contribute towards that cost on the terms set out below. This is not the prospectus of a land development company. It is an active effort to ensure that support and funds for initial expenses will be available to the men who are prepared to take the lead in a constructive enterprise. Fourfifths of the money you subscribe will be held in trust until you have had an opportunity to approve of the proposed company, its directors, its capital, and its plans. If real support Is available something will be done. You are asked to contribute on the following terms:— 1. That pending a meeting of subscribers all subscriptions received will be paid into an account at the National Bank of New Zealand In the Joint names of J. M. Melville, solicitor, Auckland, and J. D. McMillan, solicitor, Auckland, as trustees. 2. That a meeting of all subscribers be held within two months when a report and definite proposals as to development be submitted.

3. That not more than 20 per cent, of the moneys subscribed be used before the said meeting, and that any subscriber who disapproves of the proposals be entitled to a refund of 80 per cent of the amount subscribed It application is made at any time within two days after the said meeting. 4. You are assured that responsible men are working on a definite plan and you are asked to assist.” Then follows a list of well-known Auckland residents who had subscribed to the scheme. Great Need for Constructive Effort. A covering letter read as follows: “With a view to forming an organised body capable of undertaking land settlement, either with or without the help of the Unemployment Board, we have issued the enclosed statement to leading citizens In Auckland. Mr McMillan with Mr Lange called on the subscribers mentioned and in one day received the amounts named. Almost without exception subscribers agreed that there is a great need for constructive effort. Additional subscriptions have since been received, and It is expected that a fund will be created sufficient to pay the Initial expense of a company with a capital of £lOO,OOO. Should the proposed company be formed It will naturally tend to undertake development in localities from which real assistance may be expected. We should accordingly be pleased to have any Information regarding local Interest In land seltlemenl and In particular would like your opinion as to whether: (a) Local capital would be available. (b) Whether a local assistance committee could be formed to actually help new settlers in the many ways that established settlers can Help beginners. (c) Whether such committees would act In conjunction with the proposed company in pressing lor assistance from the Unemployment Board.

' The purpose of this letter Is simply to seek advice and helpful assistance We shall be pleased to receive any Information or helpful suggestions you may see fit to give.” The letter was signed by Mr J. M Melville, solicitor, Auckland, and Mr J. d. McMillan, solicitor, Auckland. Cost of Government Too High. The president (Mr W. Seavlll) said he was very interested In the circular, as it contained practical views. The speaker attributed the large amount of unemployment in New Zealand, firstly, to the low price of primary products, which in its turn was due to (a) lack of confidence, by manufacturers, in their ability to get a sale for what they had manufactured; i. (b) In the case of foodstuffs, intense competition from other countries; secondly, to the nervousness on the part of consumers and Investors, engendered by uncertainty as to the future, resulting in restricted spending. and abstention from Investing In anything other than gilt-edged securities, respectively, which in their turn caused slackness of trade, and consequent unemployment. He considered the factors which might Improve matters were: (I 1 Encouragement by the Government of private enterprise, (a) by removing all restrictions in the employment of labour, b by renewing protective Customs duties from all articles other than luxuries, thereby reducing the cost of

living; (2) the encouragement of land settlement, by facilitating tne acquisition by individuals or syndicates of blocks of unoccupied land, at a nominal cost, provided such land be cut up for close settlement, and the settlers be financed by the said speculators, assurance being given that the latter would not be taxed out of existence.

Mr E. Tlsch thought the time had arrived for straight speaking. He considered Hie cost of government already 100 per cent, too high. Muclt public money was also being simply squandered at the present time, h* had heard of one body of relief workers standing round lit a circle plpaying "tw o up." Another band, having found a rubber

ball In a patch of gorse they wer* clearing, a game of tennis was engaged In, shovels being used a* racquets. He was told of another group who. while they were supposed to be working, were receiving * lesson in wrestling, one man explaining the difference between a “cruelfix” and the "Boston crab.” Th* speaker considered that work should be let by contract to Individuals or groups of men, who could then employ their own labour at a set price. The speaker also stressed the need of a National Government to meet th* present emergency.

Mr A. L. Tompkins said it seemed to him the best avenue for the employment of relief labour was the rehabilitation of abandoned farms. Th* main thing that had caused abandonment had been the lack of capital, forcing the occupiers to sell stock to meet their bills. Some scheme should be devised for reinstating men >a these farms, which were already furnished with buildings and fence*. Another cause of abandonment wa* lack of good road access, which engendered great dissatisfaction, especially amongst the womenfolk of th* backblocks. If the farming problem could be solved the unemployment problem would, he thought, largely disappear. Cause of Present Trouble*. Mr Seavlll considered that most important was that men should b* employed, and. secondly, that they should be engaged on reproductive work. If abandoned farms were to b* loaded with the original cost the proposition was not going to be an economic one. The speaker regarded reading as most essential. No ablebodied single man, he considered, should be employed on small tinkering Jobs within coo-ee of a town, but should be placed on rtproductlv* works In the country.

Replying to a question by MF D. Seymour as to whether th* draining of the Tauplrl swamp would be profitable, Mr Blslif said they had the Government assurance that within ten years a further 10,000 cows could be carried on th* Tauplrl swamp If properly drained. Mr A. W. Chapman said that from Ids experience of breaking In swamp* the undertaking would be profitable. The expenditure on the present relief schemes he was prepared to say wa* not returning 2s Cd In the £l. Th* speaker quoted figures to show th* excellent results obtained from properly drained swamps but considered the drainbig of largo swamp area* could not be effectively done without Government aid. It would certainly b* uneconomical for the Government I* spend a further two and a half millions of money on similar relief schemes to those of the past. Mr A. L. Sandford thought they should first find the cause of the present troubles before seeking for remedies. One cause, he thought, was th* fact that many Jobs which formerly were filled by men, were now occupied by women. Another cause wa* the rise in the standard of living. Where a farmer formerly employed five men, he could, with only th* same returns from his farm, now merely employ one. Only Way to Eliminate Unemployed. Mr Seymour endorsed the remarki of Mr Sandford. He believed one way to overcome our present difficulties was to restore free labour and free, goods and let things find their weight and balance In the community. The only way to eliminate the unemployed was, lo his mind, first to analyse Hie position and then to take steps to restore the former condition* by building men back Into the economic machine from which they came. Mr Blsley said there was a big danger of many of the unemployed being content to live up to the present standaid of living by accepting this rate of wages given them on relief work, subsidised by the help they got from the welfare societies. After referring to the waste of money on lonn of the Government schemes, th* speaker expressed the opinion that rigid rules should be enforced as lo conditions of labour, to see that each relief worker worked his best, or that Jobs should be Jet by contract. Mr Seymour moved an amendment that the whole question of uuemplpoyment lie referred to the executive committee for further consideration, to prepare a report containing proposed remedies, to be embodied in remits to the annual conference. Mr Sandford seconded. Mr Blsley, withdrew his motion on the understanding that It would b* considered as a remit to the conference. The amendment wa* then